- Rural Spaces (May 2005)
- Taggerty Urban Residential Development Scheme
- C14 Zoning Amendments
- Urban Design Frameworks (2004)
- Significant Landscape Management Plans (2004)

Rural Spaces

In May 2005, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment published Coastal Spaces: Inception Report 2005. This report addressed the various issues faced by Coastal areas of Victoria, as pressures mounted for a massive increase in development along the Coastal shores. In reading this report, and being aware of similar pressures mounting in Rural Victoria, it was clear that there were marked similarities in the development issues being faced in Coastal and Rural Victoria.

As a way of responding to the Coastal Spaces report, a Rural Spaces report has been compiled by Acheron Valley Watch Inc. While some of the examples used in this report are local to the Acheron Valley (reflecting the specific development pressures being faced in that region), it is believed that the concepts embodied in these examples have far wider applicability across many area of Rural Victoria which are facing similar developmental pressures.

This report has been compiled to assist in a more holistic assessment of the need for, and guidelines for implementation of, such developments in Rural Victoria. It has been modeled on the Coastal Spaces report, so as to facilitate closer comparison of the Coastal and Rural Victoria development issues. While it is modeled on the Victorian Government report, the Rural Spaces report is not a document of the Victorian Government. It has been compiled by Acheron Valley Watch Inc. as a contribution to the ongoing discussion and debate of these critical issues.

If you would like more information about the Rural Spaces report, please contact Acheron Valley Watch.

 Taggerty Urban Residential Development Scheme

* In June 2005 Golf Club Properties Limited (GCPL) submitted a proposal to Murrindindi Council for a Taggerty Urban Residential Development Scheme (with golf course) to be located in the Acheron Valley on the Acheron River between Taggerty and Buxton. The proposal (also known as the Cathedral Range Golf Resort) would have included 180 residential allotments, 70 golf apartments, 50 golf lodges plus a four to five star resort hotel comprising 70 rooms, restaurant, conference facilities, day spa, swimming pool and tennis courts. An 18 hole golf course, with practice facilities, clubroom and spike bar was also proposed for the project.

* For an indication of how it would have visually affected the Valley, have a look at some before and after photos.

* Acheron Valley Watch has examined the proposal and has recommended that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) be carried out based on an array of environmental, social and economic impacts to be expected from the project. Whilst the then Planning Minister, Rob Hulls decided that no EES would be needed, he requested the proponents to conduct further assessments into the economic viability of the project. Council granted an extension period for the proponents to submit the requested assessment. However, the proponents finally withdrew the project.

C14 Zoning Amendments

 * In early-2005 Murrindindi Shire Council proposed some C14 zoning amendments to re-zone about 240ha of land around Taggerty to Rural Living Zones (RLZ) and about 220ha around Buxton to Rural Living Zones (RLZ) and 100ha to Low Density Residential Zones (LDRZ). The RLZ zoning would have allowed sub-division of existing rural land to permit residential development with a minimum lot size of 4ha and an average lot size of 6ha. The LDRZ zoning would have allowed sub-division to permit residential development with a minimum lot size of 0.4ha. In July 2005, a number of AVW members submitted objections to this re-zoning, some of which were heard before a Planning Panel established by the Department of Sustainability and the Environment. Following the submissions of different stakeholders, including members of AVW, the rezoning of land into Rural Living Zone South of Taggerty as part of C14 Amendment was abandoned.

Urban Design Frameworks UDF
* In early-2004, Murrindindi Shire Council commenced a process of developing Urban Design Frameworks for 8 small towns in the Shire, including the towns of Narbethong, Buxton and Taggerty in the Acheron Valley. Members of AVW volunteered to serve on the residents' committee, and attended several meetings with the consultants appointed by the Shire. As an input to the UDF process, The Urban Transport Institute (a research consultancy based in Taggerty) conducted pro-bono Community Surveys for the townships of Taggerty and Buxton. The draft reports were presented for community discussion in late-2004 and the final UDF document was released as part of the C17 Amendment during 2006 to which AVW made a submission. The implementation of the UDF of the small townships currently discussed in Council.

Significant Landscape Management Plans

* In mid-2004, Murrindindi Shire Council called for public comments the development of Significant Landscape Management Plan for the Shire. Given the significant landscape attractions of the Acheron Valley, especially around the Cathedral ranges, several members of AVW made submissions, supporting the Council's Draft Landscape Significance Map showing areas of the Acheron Valley to the north and west of the Cathedral Ranges as being areas of Significant Landscapes on Private Land. Further submissions could then be made on the Significant Landscape Management Plan in November 2005.